Intercooled compressing apparatus



Filed Jilly 24, 1944 5 sheets-sheet 1 Sv, uw N\ E.) mm, mm

March 12, 1946. R, c, ALLEN ETAL INTERCOOLED COMPRESSING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1944 R. c. ALLEN ETAL INTERCOOLED COMPRESSING APPARATUS March 12, 1946.

Filed July 24, 1944 sl sheets-sheet 5 Patented Mar. 12, 1946 UNITED STATES lNTERCOLED COMPRESSING APPARATUS Robert C. Allen, Wauwatosa, Clarence E. Kenney, West Allis, and William F. Wilson, Wauwatosa, Wis., assig'nors to Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application July 24, 1944, Serial No. y546,358 11 claims. (ci. 23o-209) This invention relates to multistage lntercooled compressing apparatus .of the type particularly adapted for use in continuous combustion gas turbine systems employing regenerative heating of the compressed air prior to yits introduction into the combustion chamber of the system and has for its primary object the provision of an improved compressor and intercooling structure embodying novel correlations of features removably mounting sepaable intercooler sections between adjacent axially spaced compressor sections or 'stages thereby affording a compact,

durable construction which can be readily manufactured, installed and serviced with a minimum of time, skill and effort.

The construction of apparatus embodying the invention will become readily apparent as the disclosure progresses and particularly points out additional objects, advantages andfeatures of construction consideredv of special importance and of general application although illustrated and described as applied to an axial type compressor embodying longitudinally spaced compressing portions or sections.

Accordingly, the invention may be considered as consisting of the various combinations of elef ments and parts constructed and/or correlated is more fully set forth in the appended claims and in the detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal vertical section through an intercooled compressing apparatus illustrating an embodiment of the invention; f

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line II-II ofFig, l;

Fig. 3- is a plan view of the intercooier lstructure;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the intercooler sections removed, parts broken away adjacent the bearing support;

Fig. 5 is a side view of structure shown in Fig. 4 with portions of the housing broken away to better show the arrangement of parts: and

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 5. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it is seen that the invention may be applied to an axial compressor including a low pressure section or rotor element I having oppositely extending reduced shaft portions 2 and 3, a high pressure sectionlor rotor element 4 having oppositely extending reduced shaft portions 6 and 1 with the portion 6 united with the adjacent alined end of the shaft portion 3 of section I, and a horizontally split, separable casing structure 8 which may be supported on any suitable structureby means of axially spaced projections 9 and which carries axially alined bearings ,I I, I2 and I3 rotatably supporting shaft portions 2, 6 and T, respectively; the inlet end Iof casing 8 preferably including a separable section I4 as indicated. However, the manner in which bearings II and I3 are supported by the end portions of casing 8 is not of vparticular importance and a -further description rin this connection is deemed unnecessary for a complete understanding of the invention.

The intermediate portion I6 of casing 8, that is the portion enclosing the united shaft portions 3 and 6, is enlarged and provided with a pair of oppositely disposed openings, in this case top and bottom openings I1 and I8, respectively, adapted to be closed by cover members I9 and 2I removably secured in any suitable manner to the casing flanges 22 and 23 surrounding the openings I1 and I8, In this connection, it is preferable, although not necessary in order to provide a simpiifled construction, that the enlarged portion IB appear as a rectangular structure having rectangular top and bottom openings (see Figs. 2-5 inclusive) and that the enlarged portion be integrally merged with the cylindrical portions of the casing surrounding the blade carrying portions of compressor sections I and 4.

The lower portion of the conventional, longiV tudinally split bearing structure I2 (see Figs, 1, 4, 5 and 6) is supported at its opposite ends by pairs of oppositely extending laterally spaced integral projections 24 and 26 mounted on underlying pairs of pads 21 and 28 carried by the lower half of inner coaxial casing parts 29 and 3I which are in turn carried by the outer surrounding portion of the main casing by means of struts or the like 32 and 33. respectively; the parts 29 and 3i also coacting with the surrounding portion of the main casing and with the adjacent bladed portions of rotors I and 4 to form coaxial discharge and inlet passages 25 and 30. respectively. Opposite ends of the shell structure of bearing I2 are provided with conventional labyrinth shaft seals 34 to prevent air from flowing along shaft portion 6 and entering the annular spaces 36. In addition, the upper and lower portions'of the bearing shell are provided with openings 31 for discharging air from the spaces 36 and with oppositely projecting radial breathing tubes ,38 and 39 which enclose portions of the bearing casingr including the openings 31 and extend outward through the openings I1 and I8 in the enlarged portion I6 of casing 8 thereby placing the spaces 36 in continuous communication with the atmosplurality of air conducting tubes 41 supported in parallel relation by a pair of axially spaced end tube sheets 48 and 48 and by an intermediate baille sheet 5I and an enclosingstructure including tube sheets 48 and 48, side walls 52 and 58 uniting the vertical and horizontal edges, respectively, of tube sheet 48 with the corresponding edges of baille sheet 5I and tube sheet 49, an inner wall 54 uniting the inner arcuate edge of tube sheet 48 with the corresponding edge of tube sheet 48, and an outer wall 58 uniting the outer arcuate edge of tube sheet 48 with the corresponding edges of baie sheet 5I and tube sheet 49. Batlle sheet 5I terminates short of the inner wall 54 and thereby divides thel interior of the enclosure containing tubes 41 into a pair of communicating chambers 45 and 46. The upstream and downstream ends of walls 52, 53, 54 and 56 extend beyond the tube sheets 48, 49 and abut or otherwise engage the adjacent ends of the inner casing portions 28, 3l and surrounding projections 51, 58 on the interior of the main casing to form intercooler inlet and outlet passages 59 and 6I, respectively; passage 58 forming a rearward continuation of low pressure section discharge passage 25 and passage 8I forming a forward extension of high pressure section inlet passage 80 as is clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

In this connection. it should be noted that the outer wall 58 of each quadrant segment 44 is provided with a pair of spaced outwardly extending conduits 82 (one conduit communicates with chamber 45 and the other with chamberv 48) which project through and support the segment on the associated cover member in any suitable sealed manner such as by welds 83 and that when a pair of segments are properly so assembled the vertical walls 52 on adjacent segments are spaced apart to receive a tube 38 or 39 therebetween (see Figs. 2 and 3). In addition. it should be noted that the upstream edge portions of walls 52 are convergingly bent to abut each other and form a rounded deflecting portion 64 for directing the air or other gas issuing fromlow pressure section I away from the space between walls 52 and into the passages` 59 communicating with the upstream ends'of tubes 41. In should also be noted that the correlation of parts thus far described is such that an assembly comprising a cover member and a pair of quadrant segments may be removed as a unit from enlarged portion I8 of casing 8 simply bv loosening or removing the seal 88 surrounding the outer end of tube 88 or'38. by removing the bolts or other means (not shown) securing the cover member to the coacting casing flange 22 or 23 and then withdrawing the unit. After the assembly has been insp^cted and/or serviced as required, it may be readily `positioned as shown and the cover member again secured to the coacting flange 22 or 23 thus placing the unit in condition for'operatio'n.

Stated differently. the casing structure 8 is provided with circumferentially spaced intermediate parts (cover members I9, 2|) which are severally removable to expose the bearing i2 and the connection between shaft portions 3 and 8 for removing and/or servicing the bearing and/or the shaft coupling connection: an intercooling structure or at least one intercooler section (quadrant segment 44) is mounted on the removable casing part for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position in which the intel-cooler sections are disposed between the opposed outlet and inlet ends of the low and high pressure compressing elements in surrounding coaxial relation with respect to the shaft portions 3, 6 and bearing I2; each intercooling structure or intercooler section providing at least one passage for conducting compressed. gas issuing from the discharge or outlet of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element; and the bearing i 2 isprovided with at least one breathing conductor (tubes 38. 39) which project outward through the intercooling structure or the ring of intercooler sections and through the removable casing part. Whether it is necessary for the breathing conductor to project through the intercooling structure or ring of intercooler section and/or through the removable casing part or cover member is of course dependent upon the particular construction and arrangement of such parts.

In operation, baille sheet 5I compels the cooling gas or liquid enteringchamber 46 through one 'conduit 62 to flow inward around the portion of the tubes 41 contained therein, around the inner end of baille sheet 5| and into chamber 45, outward around the portion of the tubes 41 contained therein and then out of chamber 45 through the other conduit 62. The compressed gas leaves low pressure section I through annular discharge passage 25 and flows through passages 59, through the tubes 41 and through passages 6I from which it enters the annular inlet passage 38 of high pressure section 4,; each quadrant segment providing a pair of passages 59 and 6| interconnected by a group of tubes 41 disposed in substantially parallel relation with respect to the common axis of the rotor elements I and 4. And consequently, the herein disclosed construction and arrangement of the intercooling structures or sections afford an approximately straightthrough passage or passages directly connecting the discharge of .the low pressure section I with the inlet of the high pressure section 4. The temperature of the compressed gas passing through the groups of tubes 41 is materially reduced by the fiow of a cooling gas or liquid around the tubes as hereinbefore described. Whether the cooling medium flowing through chambers 45 and 48 of the intercooling structure herein shown is made to pass around the inner end of baffle sheet 5I in counterfiow relation to the gas flowing through tubes 41 is purely a matter of choice and may be operated as desired by connecting the appropriate conduit 62 with a suitable source of cooling fluid (not shown). In this connection, it is also immaterial whether the intercooling structures or sections are of the type herein-shown and described for purposes of illustration as the only requisite in this respect is that the construction be such as will permit mounting same on the removable casing part or parts for insertion and removal therewith in the manner previously indicated.

With respect to the operation of the apparatus herein disclosed, it should be noted (see Fig. 1) that some of the compressed gas in passing from low pressure section I to high pressure section 4 is likely to enter the space 61 surrounding the intercooling structureA formed by quadrant segments 44 and to also enter the inner space 68 surrounding shaft portions 3, 6 and bearing I2. that the compressed gas in space 61 is prevented from escaping by engagement of the cover members I9 and 2l with flanges 22 and 23 and bythe connections 83 and seals 66 engaging conduits 82 and tubes 38, 39. respectively, and that if any compressed gas in space 68 flows along shaft portion 8 past the labyrinth seals 34 and into the spaces 36, such gas will not aerate 4and destroy the lubricating properties of the oil -owin through the bearing I2 as it freely passes to atmosphere through the prising openings 31. and tubes 38, 39. In addition, it should also be noted that tubes 38, 39 provide access to the bearing I2-for taking temperature readings, soundings and the like during operation of the apparatus. Moreover, if 'bearing trouble should develop, the bearing and/or the connection or coupling between shaft portions 3 and 6 can be readily serviced or if necessary removed and serviced simply by' removing one or both cover members and the intercooling structures carried thereby. Furthermore, it should be understood that althoughl it is preferable to provide the casing structure 8 with an enlarged intermediate portion I6 of rectangular cross-section having two diametrically opposed rectangular openings and to close such openings by cover members each carrying a pair of intercooler forming quadrant segments, the number and shape of the openings and cover members and the shape, number and construction of the intercooler segments or sections carried by each cover member as well as the construction of the casing proper may be varied as desired to meet particular requirement..

The invention is generally applicable to all types of compressing apparatus embodying spaced series iiow connected low and high pressure compressing sections,` and although the invention has been illustrated and described as applied to an axial type compressor having an integrally united casing structure for the low and high pressure sections, it should be further understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the details of such a construction as various lmodifications within the scopev of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

It is claimed and `desired to secure by Letters Patent: e

1. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rtor elements operatively connected vin spaced axially alined relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element coaxially opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and including severally removable intermediate parts disposed between the discharge end of the low pressure element and the inlet end of the high pressure element, and at least one intercooling structure carried by each of said parts for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position wherein said intercooling structures are disposed between said discharge and inlet ends of the elements in generally symmetrical relation with respect to the common axis of said elements, said intercooling structures providing one or more approximately straight-through passages directly connecting the discharge of the low pressure element with the inlet of the high pressure element 2. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having an intermediate shaft portion connecting same in spaced axially alined relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element coaxially opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portion and including intermediate parts disposed between the discharge end of the low pressure element and the inlet end of the high pressure element and being breather conductor corri--v severally removable tol expose said shaftcpgrtion, and at least one intercooling structure carried by each oi' said parts for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position wherein said intercooling structures are disposed between said discharge and inlet ends of the elementsin generally symmetrical relation with respect to said shaft portion, said intercooling structures providing one or more approximately straight-through passages directly connecting the discharge of the low pressure element with ,the inlet oi the high pressure element.

3. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having an intermediate shaft portion connecting same in spaced hcoaxial relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element,` a casing structure enclosing said elements and said shaft portion, a bearing for said shaft portion carried by axially spaced inner portions of said casing, said casing including intermediate parts severally removable to expose said bearing for removing and/or servicing same, and at least one intercooler section mounted on each of said parts for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position in which said sections are disposed between the discharge and inlet ends of said elements in surrounding relation with respect to said bearing, said intercooler sections each providing at least one passage for conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element.

4. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having opposed shaft portions connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the Ihigh pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions and including an intermediate part removable to expose the connection between said shaft portions, and an intercooling structure mounted on said part for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position between the discharge and inlet endsof said elements, said intercooling structure providing at least one passage ior conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the'low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure' element.

5. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having opposed shaft portions connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions and including intermediate parts severally removable to expose the connection between said shaft portions, and at least one intercooler section mounted on each of said parts for insertion-and removal therewith to and from a position in which said sections are disposed be- 55 .tween the discharge and inlet ends'of said elements in surrounding relation with respect to said connection, said intercooler sections each providing at least one passage for conducting com- 'pressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element.

6. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having an intermediate shaft portion connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end ofthe low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, e, casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions, a bearing for-'said shaft portion carried by inner axially spaced portions of said casing structure, said bearing including a shell structure providing a chamber sealed against the admission of compressed gas thereto and a conductor projecting outwardly through the casing and placing said chamber in continuous communication with the atmosphere, said casing structure including an intermediate part removable to expose said bearing. and a gas intercooling structure mounted on said part for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position between the discharge and inlet ends of said elements,`said intercooling structure providing at least one passage for conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element.

7. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure bladecarrying rotor elements having an intermediate shaft portion connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions, a bearing for said shaft portion carried by inner axially spaced portions of saidcasing structure, said casing structure including an intermediate part removable to expose said bearing, said bearing including a shell structure providing a chamber for receiving compressed gas leaking into the bearing, a xed breathing conductor projecting outwardly through said removable casing part and placing said chamber in continuous communication with the atmosphere, and a gas intercooling structure mounted on said part for insertion and removable therewith to and from a position in which the intercooling structure is disposed between the discharge and inlet ends of said elements in partially surrounding relation with respect to said conductor, said intercooling structure providing at least one passage for conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element.

8. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having. an intermediate shaft por` tion connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end of the lowpressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions. a bearing for said shaft portion carried by inner axially spaced portions of said casing structure, said bearing including a shell structure providing a chamber for receiving compressed gas leaking into the bearing, said casing structure including an intermediate part removable to expose said bearing andthe supports therefor, a gas intercooling structure mounted on said part for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position between the discharge and inlet ends of said elements, said intercooling structure providing at least one passage for conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element, and a breathing conductor communicating with said chamber and projecting outwardly through said intercooling structure and through said removable casing part.

9. An intercooled compressing apparatus com prising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having an intermediate shaft portion connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions, a bearing for said shaft portion carried by inner portions of said casing structure. said casing structure including circumferentially spaced intermediate parts severally removable to expose said bearing and the supports therefor, and a separate ring-forming intercooler section mounted on each of said parts for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position in which said intercooler sections are disposed between the outlet and inlet ends of Asaid elements in surrounding coaxial relation with respect to said bearing, said intercooler sections each providing atleast one passage for conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element, and a breathing conductor for said bearing projecting outwardly through said ring of intercooler sections and through one of said severally removable casing parts.

10. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements having opposed shaft portions connecting same in spaced coaxial relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a casing structure enclosing said elements and shaft portions, said casing structure including circumferentially spaced intermediate parts severally removable to expose the junction of said shaft portions, and at least one ring-forming intercooler section mounted on e'ach of said parts for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position in which said intercooler sections are disposed between the outlet and inlet ends of said elements in surrounding coaxial relation with respect to said shaft portions, said intercooler sections each providing at least one passage for conducting compressed gas issuing from the discharge of the low pressure element to the inlet of the high pressure element.

11. An intercooled compressing apparatus comprising low and high pressure blade carrying rotor elements operatively connected in spaced axially alined relation with the discharge end of the low pressure element coaxially opposing the inlet end of the high pressure element, a

casing structure enclosing said elements and including a removable intermediate part disposed between the discharge end of the low pressure element and the inlet end of the high pressure element, and an intercooling structure mounted on said part for insertion and removal therewith to and from a position between and in generally end-opposed relation with respect with the coaxially opposed discharge and inlet ends of said elements, said intercooling structure providing at least one approximately straight-through passage directly connecting the discharge of the low pressure element with the inlet of the high pressure elementi ROBERT C. ALLEN.

CLARENCE E. KENNEY.

WILLIAM F. WILSON. 

